Smith Creek Lakes

Smith Creek Lakes is an ATV-track trail from Francis Peak (above Farmington) to three small glacial cirque lakes. The trail lies at high altitude (over 9000 feet) and has a few semi-stiff climbs, so despite its short length it's fairly strenuous. In spots, the track is torn up by ATVs, with loose dirt and big rock chunks, requiring upper-intermediate skills. Early-intermediates will do fine by walking a few short rough sections.

This is a beautiful ride with high WOW factor. For those wanting a bit more of a workout, pedal up the gravel Francis Peak road to reach the trailhead.

View over the last -- and largest -- of the three Smith Creek Lakes. Photos by Bruce, July 24, 2003.

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If started at Francis Peak, the ride is 3.2 miles each way. The trail rises over ridges then falls into the cirque basin of each lake. Overall, the trail loses about 600 feet descending to the last lake. Total climbing (round trip) will be about 900 feet.

Many riders include a portion of the Francis Peak road as part of the ride. Starting from the fork near Farmington Flats, add 4.5 miles (one way) and 2200 vertical feet. From the trailhead in the foothills, add 12.3 miles and 4700 vertical, for a round trip of 31 miles!

On the ridgeline, looking at the radar domes at the apex of Francis Peak.

The scenery is the star of this ride. You cruise below outcrops of dark precambrian metamorphic rock, through meadows broken by patches of fir and spruce. In general, keep straight at intersections. ATV cheater routes short-change several of the switchbacks.

View of the "spine of the Wasatch" as we drop down switchbacks through the trees.
Bonus hillclimb from Farmington (4800 vertical!)
Park on the left just after road turns uphill (trail info sign)
GPS N 40° 59.808' W 111° 53.060'
0.5   Keep straight, Bench Road  on R
        N 40° 60.000' W 111° 52.750'
1.3   Road turns to dirt, parking for optional trailhead on R
5.0   Campground (bathrooms)
7.8   Straight (L) N 40° 59.235' W 111° 47.986' Alt = 7050'
8.6   Straight past maintenance shed
        Stay on main road
12.3 Francis Peak gate
        N 41° 01.650' W 111° 50.279' Alt=9250'
        Trail is northbound DT right of gate

The main trail stays on the slope above the lakes. A second route dips down to each lake.

Riding Notes, Smith Creek Lakes
0.0   ATV track to right of gate
0.6   Straight (R goes to view)
        N 41° 02.184' W 111° 10.162' Alt=9300'
1.1   Fork R (L = Great Western)
        N 41° 02.493' W 111° 50.303'
1.2   Straight (R down to primitive camp)
        N 41° 02.615' W 111° 50.259'
1.4   Straight and down switchbacks
        "Cheater routes" reconnect
2.0   First lake
3.2   Last lake
        N 41° 03.387' W 111° 50.483' Alt=8700'
        track continues 0.3 miles
        to flat for primitive camping

View of the first lake shows the trail curving around the bowl above. These lakes were formed by the gouging action of heavy glacial ice.
Getting there:  Exit I-15 in Farmington. Get to the corner of 600 North and 100 East. (The most direct route there was blocked by construction at the time of my visit 7/03.) Turn north (left if you're going up the hill) on 100 East. Keep right at the fork. Park on the left just past the fork (trail information sign) GPS N 40° 59.808' W 111° 53.060'. Alternative parking is found at the end of the pavement 1 mile up the canyon. To ride from the upper road fork, drive up the canyon 7 miles and park to left of the fork N 40° 59.235' W 111° 47.986'.

An alternative route is found about 1/2 mile before the peak (mile 4.0 from the road fork). Take the ATV trail on the right side of the road at N 41° 01.283' W 111° 50.183' and pedal 1/2 mile uphill to the trailhead.

For a one-page riding guide to this trail, click here!

For additional information, including nearby lodging, rentals, camping, and current conditions, may we suggest:
General info on the Ogden/Farmington area:  http://www.utah.com/ogden/   http://www.go-utah.com/ogden 
Utah outdoor activities:  http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/ 
Camping:  http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/camping.htm 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/wcnf/unit/ogden/recreation/ogden-camping.shtml
Forest Service Ranger District: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/wcnf/ 
Pineview Reservoir:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/wcnf/recreation/pineview.shtml 

Thanks to Matt C. for suggesting this trail!

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